The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is home to an established summer policy internship program. Aimed at emerging scholars, these professional development opportunities are named in memory of Kathryn Hyer, MPP, PhD, FGSA, FAGHE, and Greg O’Neill, PhD, who were policy scholars and long-time GSA members.

Greg O'Neill, PhD

O’Neill enjoyed a 20-year career at GSA. He joined the staff in 1998 as a research associate and served in multiple roles related to research, policy, and practice of gerontology. He had a passion for policy and led GSA’s nonpartisan public policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, for many years.

Kathryn Hyer, MPP, PhD, FGSA, FAGHE

Hyer was a GSA president and board chair — providing undaunted leadership in 2020 by quickly establishing a Diversity and Justice Working Group and a COVID-19 Task Force— and served in many other roles during her 30 years of active membership within the Society. She was a professor in the School of Aging Studies and director of the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging at the University of South Florida. Her scholarship focused on the quality of care in long-term care settings, disaster preparedness, curriculum development, and educational evaluation.

O'Neill & Hyer Summer Policy Internship Information

GSA is seeking three internship candidates to participate in an eight-week in-person experience in Washington, DC in the summer! Interns will be immersed in aging-related policy development and participate in this process at the national level. The internship term runs through the summer, with flexible start dates. Each selected candidate will receive a $6,000 stipend.


One of the internships will be designated for an emerging scholar enrolled at a Minority Serving Institution (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education). Internship duties and opportunities may include:

  • Attending congressional hearings.
  • Researching and analyzing issues that impact older adults.
  • Meeting with federal regulatory agencies and national coalitions; monitoring legislation and regulations.
  • Contributing to GSA’s Public Policy & Aging Report.
  • Developing policy sessions for the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting.
  • Drafting communications related to these issues impacting older adults.
  • Attending networking events with GSA staff.

To qualify for an internship, applicants:


  • Must be a master’s or doctoral-level student studying gerontology or in an aging-related field at an accredited institution of higher learning with an exceptional academic record or have graduated from such a program within six months of the internship period.
  • Should have a strong interest in policy, legislative, and regulatory affairs.
  • Should possess strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
  • Must be able to work in GSA’s central office located in Washington, DC, for 35 hours per week for 8 weeks.

Preference will be given to those applicants who have actively participated in GSA-related activities.

Successful applications will include:


  1. a complete online application submitted by the due date and time along with a copy of the applicant’s resume/CV;
  2. one letter of recommendation from a faculty member or employer;
  3. and a copy of the applicant’s most recent transcript indicating current or recent enrollment at an accredited institution of higher learning.

  • November 11, 2024: 2025 Applications Opens
  • January 13, 2025, 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET: Informational webinar with the 2024 Summer Policy interns
  • January 31, 2025, COB: Applications close
  • February 17th - March 7, 2025: Selected Candidates Interviews
  • March 19, 2025: Notification of final candidates 

Email questions to the GSA Professional Affairs Department at profaff@geron.org.

Are the Internships Paid?
Yes. GSA policy interns receive a stipend to support their living expenses during the program.

Where is the Internship Located?
GSA headquarters, located in Washington, D.C.

How long are the internships?
The internship term runs eight weeks through the summer, with flexible start dates.

Have more questions?



Register for the upcoming, “How and Why to Apply for GSA’s 2025 Summer Policy Internship: A Conversation with GSA’s 2024 Policy Interns” to find out more about the program!

To donate to the GSA Gregory O’Neill Student Policy Internship Fund, click here.


Thank you for your support and contributions!

Testimonials

Danielle Llaneza, GSA 2022 Summer Intern

PhD student in counseling health psychology and clinical trainee at MD Anderson Cancer Center
My experience as a GSA intern has provided me with experiences I would not have received in my PhD program. It has furthered my desire to be a clinician where I can perform clinical work and programming. This way I can have a bigger impact on the communities I serve.

Eileen Flores, GSA 2022 Summer Intern

Research Scientist at New Jersey Department of Health
The greatest benefits of the internship program are that you do not feel like an intern. GSA leadership and staff were very collaborative and included us in their general staff and collaboration meetings. This internship opportunity allows you to meet and gain exposure to different people and organizations relevant to aging. You also gain a general overview of policy, while also having the opportunity to tailor your research interests into a policy project of your own. Every day is never the same, which also keeps it exciting.

Haley Gallo, GSA 2019 Summer Intern

Medicaid Researcher at Mathematica
Experiencing how GSA works to translate members’ research into policy was one of the benefits of the program! Going to the Hill to meet with congressional staff, attending a meeting at the White House, and networking with policymakers made me really feel like I had a “seat at the table.” One of the greatest benefits was to experience the policy making process first hand.

Kaleigh Ligus, GSA 2022 Summer Intern

Social Science Research Analyst at CMS
One of the greatest benefits of the program was exposure to the policy-making process. We were also exposed to the wide-range of aging-related organizations and coalitions that GSA is a leader or member in. I did not know that GSA was engaged in this level of gerontology advocacy. The networking opportunities were also invaluable. We were offered the opportunity to introduce ourselves at nearly every meeting, enhancing our visibility to the aging policy community.

Lei Chen, GSA 2021 Summer Intern

Postdoctoral Scholar, UCSF Phillip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Study
GSA internship experience is insightful for my research and future career. It really broadens my eyesight about potential research topics, directions, and perspectives in gerontology. It makes me think more about policy and practice implications when I do research and write the paper. I get more interest in translating research findings to impact old adults and people with disabilities in the real world.

Lilian Azer, GSA 2022 Summer Intern

PhD candidate in Psychology: Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience at University of California, Riverside
The internship provided me with many networking opportunities and research ideas. It helped me think about how I can integrate my research with policy and vice versa. It inspired me to seek out other opportunities to enhance my skillset on bridging the gap between science and policy. Building on this experience, I am currently a fellow with the Japan – U.S. Science Communication & Policy Fellowship Network. The internship is a great opportunity to learn more about the multidisciplinary work GSA does and provides many networking opportunities.

Maizonne Fields, GSA 2024 Summer Intern

PhD student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) Applied Developmental Psychology
With this experience, I have learned how to continue to be an advocate for older people on a much larger scale. I have previous experience updating and implementing policy on an organizational level, but the federal level taught me more than I could imagine.

Jeein Jang, GSA 2024 Summer Intern

PhD student in the Gerontology Department at the University of Massachusetts in Boston
For those looking to ensure their research has a greater reach and impact, or those interested in working with an organization that nurtures creativity and ideas, the GSA summer policy internship is an excellent opportunity.